Audio Shows

Baptist Bible Hour with Lasserre Bradley, Jr.

A Door of Hope, Part 1

Sunday, March 18, 2018

“And I will give her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt” (Hosea 2:15).

In this chapter we first see a wayward wife. Hosea’s wife was unfaithful to him just as Israel was unfaithful to God. We next see divine intervention. God will “hedge of the way” for His people, making things difficult for them that they might repent. Finally we see unexpected mercy. After reading about the judgments to be sent upon a disobedient people, we see a display of great mercy as God brings His people to the door of hope.

“The beginning of the word of the Lord by Hosea. And the Lord said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and the children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the Lord” (Hosea 1:2).

It is indeed an unusual story. God told Hosea to marry a wife of whoredoms. She would be unfaithful to him but he was to love her. This relationship depicted what Israel had done in being unfaithful to God by worshipping idols. But what grace is seen as Hosea displayed love for his wayward wife and God displayed love for His wayward people.

“The beginning of the word of the Lord by Hosea. And the Lord said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and the children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the Lord” (Hosea 1:2).

It is indeed an unusual story. God told Hosea to marry a wife of whoredoms. She would be unfaithful to him but he was to love her. This relationship depicted what Israel had done in being unfaithful to God by worshipping idols. But what grace is seen as Hosea displayed love for his wayward wife and God displayed love for His wayward people.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, least any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Our theme for this Anniversary Month is “Grace Is Wonderful.” Indeed when we understand that fallen, unworthy sinners are saved by grace; we see grace is wonderful. We are celebrating the completion of 65 years on the air with the Baptist Bible Hour broadcast and encourage all our listeners to write and let us know they are listening. Upon request we will send a message preached by Lasserre Bradley, Jr., at Cincinnati Primitive Baptist Church entitled “Grace Is Wonderful.”

“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God I thank thee, that I am not as other men…” (Luke 18:11).

Man in nature does not see that he needs grace, but when we see what the scriptures say about his fallen condition we see that he needs grace and needs it desperately. It is a painful experience to be convicted of being a sinner in the sight of a Holy God, but what joy when in the sweet tones of the gospel that troubled soul is able to see Jesus as the savior of even the chief of sinners. He comes to see that he can contribute nothing to his salvation but it is all by grace through the redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ. Grace is wonderful!

“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God I thank thee, that I am not as other men…” (Luke 18:11).

Man in nature does not see that he needs grace, but when we see what the scriptures say about his fallen condition we see that he needs grace and needs it desperately. It is a painful experience to be convicted of being a sinner in the sight of a Holy God, but what joy when in the sweet tones of the gospel that troubled soul is able to see Jesus as the savior of even the chief of sinners. He comes to see that he can contribute nothing to his salvation but it is all by grace through the redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ. Grace is wonderful!

Today we bring a special anniversary broadcast celebrating the completion of 65 years on the air. The theme for anniversary month: Grace Is Wonderful. When we see that God is Holy and we are sinners and unable to recover ourselves from our fallen state, we say with joy, “grace is wonderful”. We encourage you to write during Anniversary Month and receive a message on CD entitled, “Grace is Wonderful.”

“Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench” (I Kings18:38).

As we observe the display of power by the God Elijah on Mt. Carmel, we want to consider some lessons to be learned. First we see, obeying the word of the Lord is essential. Secondly, worshipping idols is vain. Thirdly, halting between two opinions dishonors God. Fourthly, the true God can do great things. And finally, God is to be praised for what He does.

“Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench” (I Kings18:38).

As we observe the display of power by the God Elijah on Mt. Carmel, we want to consider some lessons to be learned. First we see, obeying the word of the Lord is essential. Secondly, worshipping idols is vain. Thirdly, halting between two opinions dishonors God. Fourthly, the true God can do great things. And finally, God is to be praised for what He does.